Pointleaf Manzanita

Arctostaphylos pungens

Also known as: Manzanita

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Arctostaphylos
Species:
Arctostaphylos pungens

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
8-12 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jan, feb
Bloom Colors:
White
Lawn Substitute:
Yes
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Bee Keystone:
★★★★☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Aseptis ethnica, Aseptis fumeola, Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Elegant sphinx (Sphinx perelegans), Epinotia subplicana, Eupithecia graefii, Hydriomena manzanita, Splendid Royal Moth (Citheronia splendens), sulphur moth (Hesperumia sulphuraria), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, sandy, well-drained soil
pH:
5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
commonly found in chaparral and desert regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o